Comedy, music, and dance take centre stage at MHSA open mic charity
The UTM Mental Health Student Association’s open mic night showcased student performers and raised funds for CAMH.

On February 6, the Mental Health Student Association (MHSA) hosted a charity open mic night at the Student Centre to raise funds and awareness for mental health initiatives.

The evening began with stand-up comedy, followed by a performance by student band Harmonix and a dance showcase. Food and raffles were also available, with proceeds raised primarily for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), a leading Canadian mental health hospital and research centre.

Manvir Dhothar, president of MHSA, said the charity open mic is part of her club’s annual Mental Wellness Month initiative held at the beginning of the winter semester.

“This is the second time MHSA has hosted a charity open mic night,” Dhothar wrote in an email to The Medium. “It has become an annual event where students can express themselves creatively in a safe, supportive space while also coming together for a meaningful cause.”

According to Dhothar, the event reflects MHSA’s broader goal of creating inclusive spaces that promote mental wellness through connection and conversation. “By encouraging students to share their voices and experiences in a supportive setting, the open mic reduces stigma around mental health and strengthens community engagement,” Dhothar said. “It also aligns with MHSA’s commitment to advocacy and impact by pairing meaningful programming with fundraising for mental health initiatives.”

Organizers aimed to attract roughly 30 to 35 attendees and said they were pleased to meet that goal, creating what Dhothar described as a welcoming and lively atmosphere.

Dhothar added that events like the open mic are especially important as students balance academic pressures and uncertainty about the future. “Creating these moments of community helps reduce feelings of isolation, encourages open conversations about mental health, and reminds students that support and understanding exist on campus,” she wrote.

Performers use creativity as an outlet

Student performers said the event provided a platform to share their talents while using creativity as a way to manage stress.

“My best way for mental therapy is just going out and actually talking to people and communicating and being in front of a crowd,” said Atharv Mahajan, a first-year commerce student who performed stand-up comedy. “Today was very therapeutic for me.”

Mahajan said he believes events like the open mic help normalize mental health conversations, particularly among male students. “I feel it’s really important for everyone, and personally, for me, it’s really helped,” he said. “Laughter is the best medicine, and life is a bit easier when all of you guys are stressed out together.”

Melissa Croft, a 2023 UTM alumna who played guitar at the event, said she regularly participates in open mic events and saw the night as an opportunity to combine her passion for music with charity.

“It feels like a great way that I could use my passion for music toward a good cause,” Croft said, adding that playing guitar has become a way to unwind during stressful periods. “Whenever I’m feeling stressed, playing guitar and doing music is a really great way for me to unwind.”

Attendees highlight importance of awareness

Attendees said the event provided an opportunity to support peers while raising awareness about mental health.

First-year computer science student Prisha Arora attended to watch a friend perform and said events like the open mic help bring attention to mental health initiatives. “I think it’s very important to raise money for charities related to mental health,” Arora said. “Mental health is a topic that doesn’t get spoken about enough.”

She added that student-led initiatives play a key role in fostering dialogue and building community. “It’s only through these organizations that we get to not only raise awareness but also raise money for an important cause.”

Looking ahead

Dhothar said she hopes the annual charity open mic continues in future years, even after her graduation.

“I hope students leave knowing that their voices matter and that there is space for them to be heard, supported, and understood,” she wrote.

MHSA Events Director Nimmer Hira said organizers hope students continue attending similar events as a way to unwind and connect with others on campus. “I know things can get really stressful during the school year, so honestly just relax, have fun and study too,” she said.